102-year-old woman discovers that she’s a surviving member of special WWII unit

Crescensia Garcia is getting the recognition she deserves.

Jul 15, 2022

Photo credit: CBS Mornings/YouTube – A 102-year-old woman's family learned something about her past military service thanks to Twitter.

You never know when you have a legend in your family. Two years ago, a woman named Tara Garcia reached out to “CBS Mornings” correspondent David Begnaud to share a story. Her grandmother, Crescensia Garcia, had just turned 100 and had recently survived COVID-19, only having to briefly use oxygen. Begnaud shared the story of the elder Ms. Garcia with his followers on Twitter, including some pictures Tara had sent him. Little did they know, a bigger story was about to unfold.

Edna Cummings, a retired Army colonel, saw Begnaud’s tweet. One of the pictures Tara had sent him was of her grandmother in her military uniform. Cummings told “CBS Mornings” that seeing the photo of Crescensia “was like being in a casino and hitting the jackpot.” Why? Turns out Crescensia was part of a very special military unit during World War II.

Cresencia Garcia is 100 today. She beat coronavirus. She's now out of the ICU, (was never intubated) & is no longer requiring oxygen.
She served in the woman’s army corp during World War II. She served in England caring for wounded soldiers. What a woman. HBD Mrs. Garcia! pic.twitter.com/2fFDmWH8pl— David Begnaud (@DavidBegnaud) April 19, 2020

Cummings needed to know Crescensia’s dog tag numbers to confirm her suspicions, so she reached out to Tara. After receiving them, Cummings was able to confirm that Crescensia was part of a burn unit located near Birmingham, England, which treated wounded soldiers due to a shortage of people in the area who could perform those procedures. She may not have thought much of it at the time (it was her military duty after all), but Crescensia Garcia was part of something special.

The SixTripleEight was an 855-member unit that was all Black and all women. Of course, the unit was segregated, but that didn’t stop the members from serving their country. Crescensia Garcia, who is now 102 years old, is one of only six surviving members of the unit. And her family had no idea.

“They’re the only military women’s unit to receive a congressional gold medal,” Cummings told “CBS Mornings.” “They are part of an elite group of less than 200 recipients. The first being General George Washington.” In addition to receiving the congressional gold medal, the family learned that Crescensia’s name is on a World War II monument along with other veterans, in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

When Tara Garcia found out this information, “I looked at my parents and said, ‘I think we just opened Pandora’s box here,’” she said. The revelation certainly led to some very cool opportunities, including meeting first lady Dr. Jill Biden.

Both Crescensia and Tara Garcia sat down with David Begnaud on “CBS Mornings” to talk about their family and it was truly the sweetest thing. Although she’s beginning to show signs of her age, Crescensia is still pretty sharp and a truly beautiful soul.

Crescensia was born in Puerto Rico in April 1920, before women even had the right to vote. At that time, a loaf of bread was less than 20 cents! She moved to New York City in her youth, and at the age of 24 she enlisted in the Army because the bombing of Pearl Harbor made her so enraged that she felt it was her civic duty to serve and protect. She was immediately put in an all-Black unit for her basic training in Texas.

“They put me in the Black section and there is a White section. That’s America to you. See? That’s America to you and it’s very sad, very sad,” she told Begnaud. After the segment, he explained to the news desk that the reason she was able to become a medic was due to her light skin color. She was able to “pass” as white, which earned her privilege.

Social media post helps woman discover her grandmother’s World War II past

Much like others who have served in war, Crescensia doesn’t seem to think her time in the Army was anything special. She told Begnaud that she was “just” a medic and was only doing her job tending to the injured.

“I am proud to be an American,” she said.

After the war, she went back to New York City, settling in the Bronx and getting married and having three children. She became a seamstress, working in Manhattan’s Garment District. Now, she is living her best life and sharing her story with the world.

During their interview, Begnaud explained that he had a surprise for both women. He had gotten in touch with the White House and arranged for Dr. Jill Biden to call and FaceTime with them.

“You are one incredible woman and I can’t thank you enough for all your service to our country,” Dr. Biden said warmly.

“And I salute you. Keep it up. Keep up the good work,” Crescensia said, raising her hand to salute the first lady.

At 102, her memory isn’t what it used to be, but, according to Tara, her presence of mind during the interview and conversation with the first lady is something neither of them will forget.

“The fact that she knew who that was. Yeah, and she felt that acknowledgment just now. That’s all I needed. That’s all I needed. I just want her to remember, that’s all,” Tara said.We salute Crescensia Garcia and thank her for being who she is.

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In Partnership With Habitat For Humanity →

Homeowners celebrate the completion of their new home in Cambodia's Siem Reap Province alongside Habitat for Humanity volunteers and staff.

Culture, Family

A safe, stable home can change lives for the better. Here’s how Habitat for Humanity wants to make that possible for everyone.

Better health, better jobs, and a brighter future all start with access to a safe, affordable home.

Sarah Watts

3/25/2026
A single door can open up a world of endless possibilities. For homeowners, the front door of their house is a gateway to financial stability, job security, and better health. Yet for many, that door remains closed. Due to the rising costs of housing, 1 in 3 people around the world wake up without the security of safe, affordable housing.

Since 1976, Habitat for Humanity has made it their mission to unlock and open the door to opportunity for families everywhere, and their efforts have paid off in a big way. Through their work over the past 50 years, more than 65 million people have gained access to new or improved housing, and the movement continues to gain momentum. Since 2011 alone, Habitat for Humanity has expanded access to affordable housing by a hundredfold.

A world where everyone has access to a decent home is becoming a reality, but there’s still much to do. As they celebrate 50 years of building, Habitat for Humanity is inviting people of all backgrounds and talents to be part of what comes next through Let’s Open the Door, a global campaign that builds on this momentum and encourages people everywhere to help expand access to safe, affordable housing for those who need it most. Here’s how the foundation to a better world starts with housing, and how everyone can pitch in to make it happen.

Volunteers raise a wall for the framework of a new home during the first day of building at Habitat for Humanity’s 2025 Carter Work Project.

Globally, almost 3 billion people, including 1 in 6 U.S. families, struggle with high costs and other challenges related to housing. A crisis in itself, this also creates larger problems that affect families and communities in unexpected ways. People who lack affordable, stable housing are also more likely to experience financial hardship in other areas of their lives, since a larger share of their income often goes toward rent, utilities, and frequent moves. They are also more likely to experience health problems due to chronic stress or environmental factors, such as mold. Housing insecurity also goes hand-in-hand with unstable employment, since people may need to move further from their jobs or switch jobs altogether to offset the cost of housing.

Affordable homeownership creates a stable foundation for families to thrive, reducing stress and increasing the likelihood for good health and stable employment. Habitat for Humanity builds and repairs homes with individual families, but it also strengthens entire communities as well. The MicroBuild® Initiative, for example, strengthens communities by increasing access to loans for low-income families seeking to build or repair their homes. Habitat ReStore locations provide affordable appliances and building materials to local communities, in addition to creating job and volunteer opportunities that support neighborhood growth.

Marsha and her son pose for a photo while building their future home with Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity in Georgia.

Everyone can play a part in the fight for housing equity and the pursuit of a better world. Over the past 50 years, Habitat for Humanity has become a leader in global housing thanks to an engaged network of volunteers—but you don’t need to be skilled with a hammer to make a meaningful impact. Building an equitable future means calling on a wide range of people and talents.

Here’s how you can get involved in the global housing movement:
- Speaking up on social media about the growing housing crisis
- Volunteering on a Habitat for Humanity build in your local community
- Travel and build with Habitat in the U.S. or in one of 60+ countries where we work around the globe
- Join the Let’s Open the Door movement and, when you donate, you can create your own personalized door
- Shop or donate at your local Habitat ReStore
Every action, big and small, drives a global movement toward a better future. A safe home unlocks opportunity for families and communities alike, but it’s volunteers and other supporters, working together with a shared vision, who can open the door for everyone.

Visit habitat.org/open-door to learn more and get involved today.
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Photo credit: Mike Shaw, Wikimedia Commons – Retro '50s-styled bathroom.

Culture, Nostalgia

Millennials are ditching ‘boring grey’ for this joyful mid-century color

Just a few tweaks can bring this look into every bathroom.

Cecily Knobler

4/17/2026

Everything old is pink again, to paraphrase a famous adage. This applies even in bathrooms. Neutral colors have ruled the interior design of powder rooms for quite some time. But some Millennials (and Gen X-ers too) are ready to swap the greys and tans for vintage pops of mid-century pinks, yellows, and bright greens.

While of course Millennials had their own brand of pink (which has been popular since around 2016,) they did often flock to neutral colors, perhaps for a sense of serenity. But as is the case for all generations, it can be fun to dabble back into the vintage pool.

Where did these bright colors come from?

In the piece “The Retro ‘50s Pink Bathroom is Back and Designers are Giving it a Deluxe New Twist,” Contributing Lifestyle Reporter Wendy Rose Gould shares the history of the design. “Pink bathrooms are an icon of mid-century Americana, rising in popularity from the 1940s through the 1960s. Pam Kueber, founder of the original ‘Save the Pink Bathrooms’ website (now called Retro Renovation), writes that pink was the single-most popular color for bathrooms in the 1950s. And that an estimated 5 million pink bathrooms went into the 20+ million homes built in the United States from 1946 to 1966.”

The “Save the Pink Bathrooms” movement Gould is referring to was the brainchild of Kueber, who felt that builders and designers were getting rid of historical mid-century design too quickly. On her site, Kueber claims that, like other fans of the style, they were concerned that “original vintage pink bathrooms were being ripped out of post-war American homes way too hastily.”

This of course didn’t just apply to bathrooms. The site, as previously mentioned, became Retro Renovation. It gives all kinds of tips on how to bring kitchens, bedrooms, and dining rooms restored to a long, lost era.

Adding a modern twist

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But back to those bathrooms, the vintage color pops are coming back swiftly. In a piece for Better Homes and Gardens, E-design Consultant Maria Sabella shares that as is the case with most resurgences of old designs, there can be a modern twist. “When you think of retro bathrooms, chances are you picture floral print wallpapers and salmon pink tiles. While these iconic features are making an updated comeback (spoiler alert!), experts say nostalgic decor classics are returning in a more stylish form.”

She quotes design expert Daniel Siegel, who gives excellent tips on how to pair the old with the new. “When paired with clean lines, thoughtful lighting, and modern details, these retro touches feel timeless rather than trendy.”

Retro wallpaper patterns

While not everyone can re-tile a bathroom, especially renters or those who don’t have tons of remodeling money laying around, there are super easy ways to grab the vibe.

Wallpaper is one simple way to jump on the retro train. The article shares designer Thecla Glueck’s thoughts on the trend. “Layered thoughtfully, retro and vintage-inspired patterns bring intimacy and warmth, transforming the bathroom into a cocooning retreat rather than a purely functional environment.” She even adds specific patterns, noting, “Checkerboard in classic black and white marble or jewel-tone checks, small geometric shapes such as penny rounds or hexagon, pastel mosaics, floral, or softly faceted subway, are returning with a more restrained, contemporary lens.”

@cabmod.com
Pink and blue were iconic in the 50’s ✨ #bathroomtrends #vintagebathroom #throughthedecades #1950s #timecapsule
♬ original sound – liminal space songs

Easy ways to bring in the look

Skirted sinks are also an easy way to bring back the mid-century flair. In another quote, Glueck explains how useful these can be. “They discreetly conceal storage and reinforce the idea of the bathroom as a thoughtfully designed room, not just a utilitarian space.”

Oval mirrors are mentioned as well, as something that can be mixed and matched into a room without commitment. The same goes for accessories like tissue boxes and perfume caddies. Pinks, buttery yellows, greens, and blues can all be mixed and matched to create a more vibrant feel without spending too much money.

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Photo credit: Canva Photos – The 4-part VIBE framework can help you choose the perfect adult hobby for your life.

Life Hacks, Skills

‘MIT Monk’ shares his VIBE method for choosing the perfect adult hobby

Hobbies matter more than ever. Here’s how to pick one that’s meaningful to you.

Evan Porter

4/17/2026

A survey found that about 15% of adults have no hobbies to speak of. The same survey found that people overwhelmingly agree that having hobbies is important, and also, that they wish they had more time for them.

Anecdotally, those numbers feel low. It’s rare to find someone juggling career, a household, kids, pets, family, and friends who still manages to spend time daily in the woodshop or quietly crocheting.

“MIT Monk” says hobbies matter more than ever

Hobbies still exist, of course, but we have less time for them. Another study found that time spent on socializing, hobbies, and offline activities has decreased over the last few decades while time spent on TV and phones has shot up.

That’s a trend that severely needs reversing. It’s a simple calculus. Doing real things is good for your brain. Screens are not.

“The most successful people fiercely protect their seemingly useless hobbies,” says Sandeep Swadia. “That’s their best defense against brainrot.”

Swadia goes by “MIT Monk” on YouTube, a reference to his time spent both in Himalayan monk training and receiving his MBA from one of the world’s most prestigious Ivy Leagues. He’s also a technology executive and investor, so he meets a lot of high-performing people. His unique background makes him not only an expert in “success,” but also in inner peace and happiness.

Swadia says all of smartest people he meets have at least one frivolous hobby that they make time for. And not just CEOS and billionaires, but Nobel Prize winners too.

Perhaps even more importantly, hobbies are fun. They bring us joy, satisfaction, and a sense of accomplishment that’s difficult to recreate on an app or a website. Plus, they’re great for our health.

But a lot of people simply don’t know where to start when looking to take up a new hobby, even if they’re willing to make the time and put in the effort.

The “VIBE” framework for choosing the perfect hobby

Swadia says you don’t have to just hope you have a passion for something. A hobby can actually be a way to improve your life in the very specific ways that it’s lacking.

But you have to pick the right hobby for you. And Swadia says in order to pick the right hobby, you need a framework. He calls his VIBE.

Vitality

“Are you running on empty? Then pick a hobby that gets your heart rate up,” he says.

It can be fitness and exercise directly, as in implementing a workout routine at the gym or taking a group fitness class. Or you can enjoy active hobbies that have a physical side effect, like hiking.

Vitality hobbies are something fun, challenging, and non-digital to do, and they have the added benefit of improving your physical health and energy levels.

A running club is a perfect hobby that checks multiple boxes. Photo Credit: Canva Photos

Inquiry

“Are you easily bored? Then pick a hobby that forces you to be a beginner again.”

Swadia suggests learning a new language, picking up chess, or taking a formal class on just about anything. Crucially, being a beginner as an adult requires courage. It requires you to fail and face your shortcomings head on. But that’s exactly why being a beginner again is so powerful.

“Your brain doesn’t adapt or grow when you’re comfortable,” Swadia says. “A hobby allows you to struggle, to be surprised. It forces your brain to upgrade.”

Chess will make you feel like a humbled beginner, and that’s the point. Photo Credit: Canva Photos

Belonging

If you have a lot of acquaintances and distant friends, you may need to find activities that help you find deeper connections in your community.

“Try a hobby that weaves you into a tribe,” Swadia advises.

Anything group-centered works here: a book club, a running group, volunteering, etc. Anything that’s fun, challenging, interesting, or meaningful that you do specifically with other people will bond you to them in surprising and profound ways.

Expression

“Do you consume more than create? Then try a hobby that pulls something from inside of you and puts it out into the world.”

These are the classics: creating and the arts. Woodworking, painting, photography, pottery. Even cooking can be a form of self-expression.

You don’t need to be good at something in order to use it to express yourself. And getting better slowly over time is a huge part of the fun.

You don’t have to be good at art to express yourself through it. Photo Credit: Canva Photos

You don’t need one hobby per category, Swadia reminds us. Many hobbies can fill multiple needs at once. Joining a running club, for example, can improve your vitality and your sense of belonging all at once. Depending on your starting point, it can also make you feel like a total beginner (Inquiry) again.

It’s hard to go wrong when picking a hobby

VIBE is just one framework, and it can help you identify what’s missing from your life and figure out how a new activity can challenge you and make you feel more whole.

Psychology Today notes, however, that hobbies don’t have to be challenging or designed to stimulate and rewire your brain. They can also be mindless and relaxing, like coloring or reading “trashy” novels.

More important than picking the right or perfect hobby is picking one at all. Unless there are huge costs involved, you can always try something else down the road if the first one doesn’t work out. What matters is taking care of yourself in order to be at your best.

“Our 24/7 culture tells us hobbies are selfish. They’re extra. It’s time stolen from work or the people that need you,” Swadia says. “Nothing could be further from the truth.”

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Photo credit: Canva – Three kids look out the window of an airport at an airplane landing.

Family, Kids

Former flight attendant says families should board last. Does she have a point?

“The pre‑board privilege is a trap.”

Heather Wake

4/17/2026

Families with small children are usually among the first to board a plane, the logic being that it allows time to install any necessary kiddie seats, place strollers or other kid-centric luggage in the overhead bin, and get settled before takeoff.

However, one mom and former airline worker argues that doing things the opposite way would allow for smoother travel for all.

Laura, an ex-British flight attendant currently living in Florida and raising a family, recently shared on TikTok, “Okay don’t come for me but I think families with babies should board LAST.”

@laurainsouthflorida
Okay don’t come for me but I think families with babies should board LAST. I know. I KNOW. And yes I used to be a flight attendant. I have seen things. I have opinions. This is one of them. Every time we pre-board Oliver we spend an extra 25 minutes strapped into seats going absolutely nowhere while every other human slowly files past us making faces at him like he’s a zoo exhibit. He’s fine for the first 10 minutes. Then he’s done. DONE. And we still haven’t even pushed back from the gate. I spent years watching families board first and slowly unravel before we even closed the door. Board last. Sit down. Take off immediately. Baby never knows the difference. Trust the ex-flight attendant on this one. The pre-board privilege is a trap. I handed it out for years and I’m only now admitting that. You’re welcome. Or I’m sorry. Depending on how strongly you feel about this. #flyingwithababy #travelingwithababy #babytravel #exflightattendant #flightattendantlife
♬ original sound – laurainsouthflorida

First recalling her own experience as a traveler, Laura noted that every time she brought her young son, Oliver, they would pre-board, as many parents do. However, getting on the plane early just meant that Oliver had an extra hour of being cooped up.

“We’d spend an extra 25 minutes strapped into seats going absolutely nowhere while every other human slowly files past us making faces at him like he’s a zoo exhibit,” she wrote in the caption.

Naturally, Oliver would become restless

Two kids looking out an airplane window while mom watches. Photo credit: Canva

“He’s fine for the first 10 minutes. Then he’s done. DONE. And we still haven’t even pushed back from the gate,” she wrote.

Laura then drew upon her professional experience of witnessing other families going through similar struggles: “I spent years watching families board first and slowly unravel before we even closed the door.”

Both of these factors left her with only one conclusion: “Board last. Sit down. Take off immediately. Baby never knows the difference.”

“Trust the ex‑flight attendant on this one,” she concluded. “The pre‑board privilege is a trap. I handed it out for years and I’m only now admitting that. You’re welcome. Or I’m sorry. Depending on how strongly you feel about this.”

Of course, reactions to this stance were mixed

Some commenters agreed that it would be less anxiety-inducing for parents concerned with “holding people up,” while others worried about keeping families seated together or potentially losing storage space if they boarded last.

And then came the inevitable question: Why not seat the back row first?

Online, you’ll find a slew of explanations, from “it makes the plane tail-heavy” to “back-to-front boarding is actually slower.” However, Japanese airlines like Japan Airlines (JAL) commonly use a back-to-front boarding process, often starting with rear seats, window seats, or specific boarding groups. This method is sometimes combined with window-to-aisle boarding in the name of efficiency.

So while we may never come upon a universally beneficial boarding order, there are at least a few things parents can do to make the process easier.

For example, if both parents are traveling together, they can adopt a “divide and conquer” approach, with one parent boarding early to manage bags and seats while the other lets the kids walk around, expend any extra energy they might have, and minimize sitting time. Bringing a “surprise bag” of snacks and small, new toys reserved only for plane rides can also offer some soothing distractions.

A father entertaining his son on a flight with animal puppets. Photo credit: Canva

And as any parent will tell you, often no matter what strategy you try to implement, sometimes you still gotta adapt to what’s needed in the moment.

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Photo credit: Canva – An older woman plays a video game.

Culture, Wholesome

Welfare check on a 91-year-old woman ends with funny twist police never saw coming

She was trying to get to the next level.

Erik Barnes

4/17/2026

Many communities are trying to provide quality attention and care to their elderly residents. For example, seniors in Westlake, Ohio, can sign up for a program that provides frequent welfare checks. But when the police were sent on a welfare check for a 91-year-old woman after multiple unanswered phone calls, they couldn’t have expected a better, funnier result.

The woman was safe and sound in her bedroom, playing video games.

“Everyone was a little bit alarmed that she was missing these contacts,” Westlake Police captain Jerry Vogel told News 5 Cleveland. “It turned out to be okay. Everyone got a good laugh out of it.”

The elderly gamer was a part of Westlake’s “Are You Okay?” program for senior citizens and other qualified residents. Upon signing up, elderly residents receive a daily phone call to answer, ensuring that they are safe and okay. If the call goes unanswered, the police do a welfare check. After multiple missed calls, including a follow-up from police dispatch and one from the woman’s daughter, the police entered the woman’s home to find her trying to beat her record in a “bubble pop” video game.

The police and the woman both laughed in relief, and the woman thanked the police for checking in through the “Are You Okay?” service. To protect her privacy, the police shut off their body cams and aren’t releasing the 91-year-old gamer’s identity.

Seniors are a growing demographic in video gaming

While this welfare check ended in a funny result, the police shouldn’t have been too shocked to see a person over 90 playing a video game. In fact, seniors are a growing demographic in video gaming. An Entertainment Software Association report found that 28% of gamers in the United States are over the age of 50.

The reasons why more elderly people play video games are numerous. Some play video games involving hunting, fishing, bowling, etc., since they can continue their favorite pastimes regardless of their mobility or accessibility. Other older gamers play to connect with their grandkids or just younger people in general.

There are also studies showing and encouraging seniors to play video games for health benefits, including improving their social lives through in-person or online gaming. Some games are mentally challenging, helping seniors’ cognitive health as well.

@short_documentaries
The gamer grandma🎧 #gaming #foryou #foryoupage
♬ original sound – Documentaries

So the next time you log in to play Call of Duty, Minecraft, Fortnite, or another game online, there’s a chance that one of the people you’re playing with could be a senior. Who knows? It could be a 91-year-old woman in Westlake.

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Photo credit: Canva – A teacher's lesson on 1990s slang.

Culture, Generations

‘Hecka tight, bra’: Millennial teacher bridges generational gap by translating ’90s slang to Gen Z speak

Gen Zers are obsessed with the 1990s.

Tod Perry

4/17/2026
These days, there’s a lot of love for the 1990s, especially among younger generations, who fantasize about the last decade before smartphones and social media upended society. In fact, a 2023 study found that 60% of American Gen Z adults “wished they could return to a time before everyone was ‘plugged in.’”

Kaity Broadbent, a microschool teacher and head of learning at Prenda, had a really fun lesson with her students by showing them the parallels in slang among Gen Zers, Gen Xers, and Millennials who were young during the golden era of the 1990s.

The interesting thing about her lecture is that it showed how young people, regardless of generation, create their own slang terms for the same words.

View this post on Instagram

In her Instagram Reel, Broadbent bridged the generational divide by noting that “bruh,” a popular term among Gen Z and Gen Alpha, sounded different in the ’90s, when it was pronounced “bra,” like the ladies’ undergarment. Although the pronunciation is different, the meaning is the same. She put it in a sentence, asking her students to say, “Hecka tight, bra.” (It seems she substituted “hella” for “hecka” to be more classroom-appropriate.)

She also introduced her students to the term that kids in the ’90s used to reveal they’d fooled someone: “Psych!” which is a shorter version of saying, “Psyched you out.”

She then rattled off some of the ’90s greatest hits:
- “As if” (Cher from Clueless, you paying attention?)
- “You da bomb” — a phrase meaning that someone is great or incredibly attractive.
@aliciasilverstone
Ugh! As if… I wouldn’t join TikTok. 😉💛😘 #Clueless #AsIf
♬ Ugh… As if – Alicia Silverstone
- She also noted that kids from the ’90s had their own version of one of Gen Z’s most popular slang phrases for questionable people or things. “So, instead of sus, we would say sketch,” she said in a very studious tone.
- “I gotta bounce” or “I’m outtie” means that you have to leave. Extra ’90s points: If you’ve ever said, “I gotta go, Audi 5-thou.” This takes the term “outtie” and merges it with a popular luxury car at the same time: the Audi 5000.
- She also noted that in the ’90s, your “crib” was your house, as evidenced by MTV’s popular show Cribs.
@topwtf_
Sad that’s most of these are fake 😪 #mtv #mtvcribs #topwtf_
♬ original sound – TOPWTF
- “Home skillet” and “home slice” are two phrases that Gen Zers probably wouldn’t naturally understand, but they mean the same thing. It’s an evolution of the term “home boy,” meaning friend, which became “homie” or “home skillet.”
- What would a ’90s kid say if someone was acting strangely or seemed confused about a situation? “You straight trippin’, G.” That means, “I believe that you are out of your mind, friend.”
- She then asked a big question that makes little sense in the smartphone era: Why would we say ‘411’? Because “You would call 411, and you’d pick it up, and that was calling information.”
The post sparked a great conversation among the commenters:

“This is all that and a bag of chips,” Kid joked.

“We stopped saying ‘psych’ when I was in 6th grade and switched to ‘NOT!’” Amanda clarified.

“This is both amazing and hurts so much,” Mads admitted.

Broadbent’s lesson is a great reminder for older people to stop being annoyed by younger generations’ slang, because when they were young, their trends were pretty cringey, too. It’s also a great lesson for the young people out there: Be careful how you judge your elders; one day you’re going to be just like them.
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Photo credit: Canva & X – A 42-year-old’s observations about his early 40s are striking a nerve on social media.

Culture, Generations

People in their 40s say these 5 unique life changes make it the weirdest and most diverse phase of life

No one’s on the same timeline, and that’s OK.

Evan Porter

4/17/2026

Turning 40 marks a major milestone for many people. It can be an exciting time when your family, career, hobbies, and sense of self are finally falling into place. Unfortunately, it can also be the decade when your joints start hurting and your hair goes gray.

In other words, your 40s can be a mixed bag. What’s especially fascinating is that everyone’s experience in their early 40s will be different. Some people say that’s exactly what makes it such an interesting season of life.

Guy on X notices a few strange things about being in his 40s

Ben Eisenhart, a self-described dad and husband who turned 42 earlier this year, recently took stock of his peers and found that there was a wild amount of variety.

He realized that he’d reached a point in time when minor differences in life choices, luck, and genetics that were barely noticeable in his 20s were becoming massively evident.

Being in your early 40s is weird, man. People around your age are in every stage of life. You have people who are grandparents. You have people who have newborns. You have people dating 25-year-olds. You have people celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary. Some of them look…
— Ben Eisenhart (@BEisenhart) April 15, 2026

The post was a hit, racking up nearly two million views and hundreds of comments from people eager to share their own experiences and observations. Here are five things people say make your 40s the weirdest and most interesting decade of your life.

1. Kids

In your early 20s, the vast majority of your peers don’t have kids yet. In your mid-to-late 20s, the process begins, and newborns start crashing group hangouts. Late nights at the bar become lazy afternoons at the brewery as parent friends try to survive the early stages of parenthood. Others either aren’t ready for kids yet or have decided not to have them.

In your 40s, it’s not nearly as simple.

Some folks are still child-free. Others might have grown children who are out of the house. Some are even grandparents by this point. Others are just getting started in parenthood with their first newborn. In fact, the latter is becoming increasingly common, with over 20% of women now having their first child after the age of 35.

I became a granny at 37😐 I also had a 1yr old at this time. It was a strange time lol now early 50s and 6 grandkids and only feel now my life's in order. I was slow to arrive at that destination!
— Jjae (@jjae80) April 16, 2026

2. Looks

Some people look older, and some look younger. That’s just the genetic lottery, and it’s true at almost any age.

But by your 40s, life choices and health issues have piled up and widened this gap. Some 40-year-olds could pass for being in their 20s, while others look 20 years older.

Genetics alone can account for huge differences in how we age, and it’s a topic of great interest to scientists. But a few decades of staying fit, or smoking, or using or not using sunscreen really start to show up around your early 40s.

3. Couples

Similar diversity shows up not just in whether people are partnered up, but in the many different shapes and timelines of romance that appear.

As Eisenhart notes, many people marry relatively young and remain together well into their 40s and beyond. Others are divorced, on their second or third marriage, or have been single the entire time. Even among those who are single, they may be dipping their toe in the dating pool of folks their own age…or, in some cases, much younger.

It can make for some very interesting get-togethers.

4. Career

There’s a great camaraderie in your 20s when everyone you know is just getting started in their careers. Some are struggling through menial jobs, while others are in more prestigious fields but are grinding their way up from the bottom of the totem pole.

You’re all in it together, in a sense.

In your 40s, those career paths have diverged a great deal over the years. Some folks are executive-level leaders at big companies. Others have been doctors and scientific researchers for over a decade. Some have suffered setbacks or are in the midst of a career change, piecing together work the best they can. More and more people in their 40s are even going back to school.

It can, and should, be a time of deep empathy and leaning on one another.

What makes your 40s interesting is most people spent their 20s/30s building toward this point. There was a plan. A horizon. A rough idea of what life should look like by now.
And then you get here… and there are no reference points. Everyone’s running a completely different…
— Amit (@GAmitej) April 16, 2026

5. Hope for all

Ultimately, most people in their 40s who commented on the post agreed on one thing: it’s a pretty cool season of life.

“All these are just lessons that we ain’t competing with anyone, at every age in our life just live your best and do things that makes you happy and always love yourself even more,” one X user wrote.

Another said, “Life really doesn’t follow one timeline. People the same age can be in completely different seasons, and that’s normal.”

“I turn 48 in July, and what ive gathered is wherever you find yourself during these years, as long as you find the joy, its all good,” another user added. “Out of all my decades, 40s have been surprisingly my favorite, mainly because ive learned to only worry about what i can control.”

One person noted that your 40s offer an amazing opportunity for transformation: “Early 40s is the last time of a big ‘potential’ horizon. Where you could totally reinvent yourself and make it if you wanted to.”

And finally, many wisely advised that your 40s are nothing to fear:

Life starts at 40, that's where everything is happening
— Bongie P (@BongieT86443) April 16, 2026

It wasn’t just 40-year-olds who were drawn to the viral post, however. More than a handful of people in their 50s and 60s stopped by with just a few choice words: “Just you wait.”

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Photo credit: @ladyandthepamp_/TikTok (used with permission) – Lady the spaniel enjoys a “sniffari” for her 5th birthday.

Nature, Pets

Dog celebrates 5th birthday by going on an adorable ‘sniffari’

This is next-level dog parenting.

Heather Wake

4/17/2026

Many dog owners like to commemorate their fur babies’ birthdays with a party. But this doggy birthday party takes things to a whole new level.

Lady, an adorable spaniel turning five, didn’t celebrate her solar return with treats or costumes. Instead, her mom, Kat, arranged for her and her canine friends to go on a backyard “sniffari.”

The sensory adventure featured fresh chicken eggs (the crowd favorite), as well as a small herb garden, old socks and shoes, a pile of sticks, and layers of cardboard with treats hidden between each layer. And of course, participants could refuel themselves at the “pup cup station,” where they’d be served whipped cream, aka “pupaccinos.”

The TikTok video racked up over 500,000 views online, and people couldn’t help but praise Kat for her grade-A dog mom skills.

@ladyandthepamp_
It’s Lady’s world, we’re just all living in it 🥰🐕 #dogtok #dogparty #dogmum #doggo
♬ suara asli – Wafee ||| BARU BELAJAR NGONTEN – Wafee

“What a unique and thoughtful birthday treat for your pup,” one viewer commented.

Another added, “You rock as a dog mom I’m done. I thought my doggo was spoiled.”

Why sniffing matters to your pup

As PetMD explains, our dogs “see” the world through scent. They use their powerful noses to understand and interact with the world around them, increasing their mental stimulation while lowering their stress levels in the process.

@ladyandthepamp_
Lady’s sniffari in action 🐕 Thanks everyone for all the love 💕 she had the best day with her friends. I’m so happy so many of you have decided to try and recreate your own with your own dogs. Pressure is on for her 6th birthday… #dogtok #dogparty #dog #dogmum
♬ Alright – Supergrass

So sniffing activities are like the upper echelon of enrichment. That’s why experts recommend owners be patient while taking their dogs on walks and even reward sniffing behavior. The olfactory fulfillment they receive from it is crucial to their well-being.

Of course, that was just the beginning of Lady’s birthday celebrations

@ladyandthepamp_
If she can live until she’s 100, it really would be the cherry on top 🥰🐕 #dogtok #dogmum #dog
♬ original sound – Kat and Lady 🐕💕

She and her mom also enjoyed some pampering during a beachfront hotel stay in England.

In a heartfelt follow-up video, Kat was in tears as she shared, “I think I just peaked in life. My dog turns five tomorrow, and I’m just so happy.”

We get it, Kat. We really get it.

Fun ways to throw your own “sniffari”

A dog sniffing a hedgehog. Photo credit: Canva

Inspired by Lady’s celebration, pet parents can easily create their own scent-based party at home. The key is variety and curiosity. Scatter safe, dog-friendly items with different textures and smells around your yard or living space. Hide treats inside boxes, under towels, or within layers of paper so pups can “hunt” for rewards.

You can also create themed scent stations. A garden corner with herbs like rosemary or basil gives dogs new smells to explore. A “laundry pile” of worn clothing offers familiar scents that many dogs love. Even a simple cardboard maze can become an adventure when treats are tucked inside.

For an extra special touch, invite a few canine friends and let them explore together at their own pace. Keep things relaxed and supervised so each dog feels comfortable.

Truly, for birthday celebrations or otherwise, sometimes the best thing we can do for our pups is to let them experience the world as closely to how nature intended as we possibly can.

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Photo credit: via MIdnight Special/YouTube – The Bee Gees singing "Run to Me."

Culture, Pop Culture

The Bee Gees’ 1973 acoustic performance of ‘Run to Me’ perfectly showcases their amazing harmonies

No one harmonizes quite like family.

Tod Perry

4/17/2026

On June 22, 1973, the Bee Gees, brothers Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb, appeared on the TV show The Midnight Special and, throughout the 90-minute broadcast, showcased their humor, soul, and incredible harmonies. But, by far, the highlight of the night was a performance of their recent hit, “Run to Me,” off their 1972 release, To Whom It May Concern.

The Midnight Special was a late-night music and variety show that ran on NBC for nine years (1972-1981). Along with “Run to Me,” on this episode, the Bee Gees played their 1968 hit “I Gotta Get a Message to You,” sang a duet with Wilson Pickett of The Beatles’ “Hey Jude,” and performed a medley which included, “Morning of My Life,” “Holiday,” “Let There Be Love,” and “My World.”

The Bee Gees’ incredible ‘Run to Me’ performance

Their performance of “Run to Me” is incredible because with the stripped-down, acoustic-guitar-only arrangement, you can really hear their amazing harmonies—especially when Robin and Maurice hop in on the chorus.

“‘Run to Me’ was one of those songs that all three of us sang. It was never really written for one person. ‘I’ll sing the verses. You sing the chorus because they are much higher,’ Gibb recalled, as if speaking with his brothers. “Robin’s voice was much higher than mine … See, it wasn’t like a group. It was a family. And so, whoever wanted to sing, sang.”

The origins of ‘Run to Me’

“We wrote [Run to Me] at our manager Robert Stigwood’s house in Beverly Hills. He was a great visionary and championed our beliefs and chemistry as brothers. Lyrically, this song chronicles the wishes of a man who longs to be noticed by a broken-hearted girl,” Robin recalled.

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A post shared by Bee Gees (@beegees)

Even though the Bee Gees appear at the top of their game in the performance, it was a transitional point for the band. “Run to Me” would be their last significant hit for three years, until they transitioned into a more soulful, disco sound, with their 1975 hit “Jive Talkin’.” This would launch the band into superstardom, peaking with 1977’s Saturday Night Fever Soundtrack which featured three number one singles from the album contributed by the Bee Gees—”How Deep Is Your Love”, “Stayin’ Alive,” and “Night Fever.” The brothers also penned “If I Can’t Have You,” which became a number-one hit for Yvonne Elliman.

Sadly, Maurice Gibb would pass away in 2003 and Robin in 2012. But “Run to Me” got a second life in 2021 when Barry re-recorded it with country singer Brandi Carlile for his solo album, Greenfields. Greenfields features reworked versions of his Bee Gees hits, sung with country collaborators, including Dolly Parton, Jason Isbell, and Miranda Lambert.

This new version of “Run to Me” features a similar vocal arrangement to the original, with Carlile filling in for the late Robin.

Earlier this year, Barry spoke with Upworthy about his love for Bob Dylan and his opposition to the Vietnam War. You can read it here.

Here is the entire June 22, 1973, broadcast of The Midnight Special.

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